give the essence of beauty. This constitutes the charm of travelling in a classic clime. The mountains may not be richer, or the mountains more lofty, but every dell and stream are consecrated. Therefore, a new country must be inferior to the old. Its loftiest associations lead but to the labors of the colonist, or his wars upon the wild beasts that were there before him."
Our own country furnishes an exception to the closing remarks of this accomplished writer. Though of comparatively recent date, many of its associations are as lofty and spirit-stirring as those which strike more deeply into the dimness of antiquity. Those of the venerable structure which we contemplate, are mingled with the chivalry of the Old World, and the royalty of the New,—with rites that staid the effusion of blood, and linked contending races in amity—that gathered the first soul from the bondage of idols to the Worship of the true God, and girded it to run faithfully the way of eternal life.
Old Church!—first herald of salvation to the western wild,—thou hast fallen by the way, but thy ruins are precious in our eyes. Blessed is the young land whose cradle-memories are like thine.
